Canadian couple sentenced to prison for bringing meth into Maine

BANGOR, Maine — A couple who have been living in Canada were sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court for bringing methamphetamine into the U.S. from Canada and selling it in Aroostook County.

David and Tanya Fleming, 30 and 32, respectively, of Perth Andover, New Brunswick, were arrested on Oct. 19 after David Fleming sold 160 methamphetamine tablets to another individual, who was not named in court documents. His wife admitted driving him across the border to meet customers after he lost his driver’s license.

He was sentenced to three years and four months in federal prison. She was sentenced to one year and eight months in federal prison, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. In addition to prison time, David and Tanya Fleming were sentenced to four years and two years of supervised release, respectively.

The Flemings pleaded guilty in December to distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.

As a result of their convictions, David Fleming, who is a U.S. citizen, and Tanya Fleming, who is a citizen of Canada, may never be able to live together again, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. After she is released from prison, Tanya Fleming is expected to be deported. It was unclear Tuesday whether the Canadian authorities would allow David Fleming to live in that country again as a result of his conviction.

The couple has three children, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Casey, who prosecuted the case, said after the sentencing.

David Fleming entered into a conspiracy to smuggle methamphetamine pills into Maine in early January 2011 to help feed his own addiction, according to the prosecution version of events to which he pleaded guilty. He would obtain the pills, smuggle them across the border, sell them, then return to Canada with cash to play his supplier.

Tanya Fleming began driving him across the border in September 2011, according to the prosecution version of events to which she pleaded guilty.

U.S. District Judge John Woodcock found Tuesday that she played a minor role in the conspiracy, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Each Fleming faced up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million.

Casey said Tuesday that two others, Phillip Cote, 31, and Wayne MacFarline, 30, both of Caribou, have pleaded guilty to drug charges in connection with the Fleming case. MacFarline is scheduled to be sentenced in October. Cote’s sentencing date has not been set.

The cases were investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Homeland Security Office of Investigations, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.